Ned Hanlan has been a fixture on the CNE grounds since 1971. But that will soon change when Toronto’s historic coal-fired tug boat arrives at its new home at Hanlan’s Point over on Toronto Island.
(But first, and just to set the record and not a few trivia games straight, Hanlan’s Point was not named in honour of Toronto-born Edward “Ned” Hanlan, who during his career held several world-record rowing championships. In fact it was named for his father John, a pioneer settler on the Island when it was still just a peninsula attached to the city where the East Gap is now located.)
The move of the tug is to be carried out by Whitby’s Laurie McCulloch, the same company that moved “Ned’s” longtime neighbour at the east end of the former Stanley Barracks — the mighty CN steam locomotive No. 6213, moved to the new railway museum (trha.ca) south of the CN Tower. The actual relocation of the tug is scheduled for sometime later this month.
Designed by naval architect John Stephen (who was also responsible for several of the present Island ferry boats) the Ned Hanlan was built for the City of Toronto’s Works Department by the Toronto Dry Dock Company in its shipyard located on the north side of Villiers St. in today’s Portlands. From the time Ned was launched in 1932 until retired from active service in 1967 the 75 ft. (23 m.) long, 184-ton vessel was called upon to assist with various works projects, carry freight, break ice when the Bay was choked and act as a passenger vessel whenever the regular Island ferries were put out of action during inclement weather.
Following retirement, the Metro Toronto corporation (remember it?) sold the tug to the Toronto Historical Board for one dollar. After languishing in the works department slip at the foot of John St. It took some time, but thanks to a donation of $50,000 from David Stewart, a true Canadian history buff and president of Macdonald’s Tobacco Co. the tug was moved to what was intended to be a new and permanent home adjacent to the CNE’s Marine Museum. Seems plans for a new boutique hotel at the Ex have resulted in another relocation. This time for good, or ... ?

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While on the subject of ships, the prolific Canadian publisher Dundurn has just released a new book titled RMS Segwun, Queen of Muskoka by Andrew Hind and Maria Da Silva. Originally operating as a paddle wheeler when the vessel took to the water in 1887, Segwun’s future looked dim in the 1950s as travel on the Muskoka Lakes became too slow and old-fashioned. But thanks to numerous interested participants the Royal Mail Steamer Segwun was given a new life and today has become one of Muskoka’s most popular attractions (segwun.com).

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